God With Us - Dec. 14th, 2025

Passage: Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

Matthew 1:18–25 KJV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): Matthew 1:18-25 narrates how God intervened in the lives of Joseph and Mary through a miraculous virgin conception and an angelic message, revealing that the child to be born. Jesus, “God with us,” is the divinely sent Savior who fulfills God’s ancient promise to redeem His people[1][2].

Sermonic Proposition: Because in Jesus Christ “God with us” has become a reality, we can now hear God speak to us, find true purpose for our lives, and receive salvation from our sins. We should therefore respond with trust and obedience to the God who is present with us.

Because in Jesus Christ “God with us” has become a reality, we should respond with trust and obedience.

Statement of Purpose: To encourage believers with the comforting truth of God’s presence in Christ and its implications for our lives, and to invite those who do not yet know Jesus to trust Him as Savior, the One who is “God with us” and who came to redeem us.

Introduction

I. Christmas highlights the power of presence, and Christmas ultimately proclaims that God came to be with us in Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a season of presence, not just presents under a tree, but the treasured presence of loved ones. There is something powerful about having someone with us in our times of fear or loneliness. Think of a little child who wakes up frightened at night: the mere presence of a loving parent, holding their hand, drives the fear away. In a far greater way, the message of Christmas is that we are not alone in this dark world. God has come to be with us in the person of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:23 declares this astonishing truth: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,” which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

A. Human presence comforts fear and loneliness, and God’s presence comforts us infinitely more through Christ.

Yet it’s easy to sing “Emmanuel” in a carol and miss how profoundly this reality can change our lives. Think about the context of our passage. Joseph, a humble carpenter of Nazareth, was facing one of the most fearful and confusing moments of his life[3]. He was betrothed to Mary, a young woman of godly character. In that culture, betrothal was a binding engagement, for all legal purposes Mary was already considered his wife, only they had not yet come together in marriage consummation[4]. Suddenly Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, and he knows he is not the father. His heart must have sunk; thoughts of betrayal, embarrassment, and shame would naturally arise. The Bible says Mary “was found with child of the Holy Ghost”[5], but at first Joseph did not know that. All he knew was that the woman he loved was carrying a child that wasn’t his. Joseph’s world seemed to crash down, and fear gripped him.

B. Joseph’s crisis reveals how “God with us” turns fear into faith through divine intervention.

We can imagine Joseph’s distress. He was a just man and did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace or the full penalty of the law (which under Deuteronomy 22 could even mean stoning)[6]. Because he was also compassionate, he decided to quietly sever the engagement, to “put her away privily” (Matthew 1:19). That night, as Joseph tossed and turned over this agonizing decision, God intervened in an extraordinary way. Through an angelic messenger, God essentially said: “Joseph, you are not alone in this. I am with you, and I have a plan.” In fact, the child in Mary’s womb was there by the Holy Spirit’s power, and this child is “God with us.” Joseph’s fear was turned to faith when he realized that God’s presence was entering his very situation in the person of this miraculous baby[7].

C. The coming of Jesus displays three life-changing truths about God’s presence that demand a personal response.

This morning, two Sundays before Christmas, we too need to grasp the meaning of “Emmanuel – God with us.” It’s more than a theological slogan; it is the central reality of our faith that can transform our fear into faith, our emptiness into purpose, and our guilt into salvation. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth shows us three life-changing truths about God’s presence with us:

God’s presence establishes communication between God and humankind. In other words, God has spoken and reached out to us; He is not silent or distant.

God’s presence gives meaning to human existence. Our lives are not pointless because God Himself has entered into our humanity, bringing purpose and significance.

God’s presence provides redemption. In Christ, God came to save us from our sins; the greatest rescue mission of all time.

Let’s examine each of these truths from Matthew 1:18-25, and as we do, ask yourself: How will I respond to “God with us”?

I. God’s Presence Establishes Communication Between God and Humankind

A. God takes the initiative to reveal Himself and speak into fearful circumstances (Matt. 1:20a).

One of the wonderful truths of Emmanuel is that God has taken the initiative to reveal Himself and speak to us. He bridged the chasm between heaven and earth. In our passage, we see God reaching out to communicate with Joseph at his point of despair. Verse 20a says,

Matthew 1:20 KJV

20a But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:

1. God speaks personally and tenderly to Joseph through a heavenly messenger at the moment of inward turmoil.

Consider how gentle and personal this divine communication is. Joseph is anxiously turning things over in his mind (“while he thought on these things”), and God meets him there with a message of reassurance. God sends a heavenly messenger to convey His will. The term “the angel of the Lord” indicates a specific messenger from God, well-known in Scripture[8]. This is not some vague impression; it is a clear, supernatural revelation. God knew Joseph’s confusion and spoke into it. Aren’t you glad we have a God who speaks to us? Who communicates His will and truth, rather than leaving us to stumble in the dark?

2. God’s message confronts fear with a direct command and anchors assurance in divine reality.

The first words from God’s angel to Joseph are “Fear not.” In the original language, the phrasing implies “do not become afraid”[9]; essentially, stop letting fear take hold of you. Joseph was on the verge of making a fear-based decision, but God’s Word stopped him in his tracks. God often has to tell us, “Fear not,” because our tendency is to let worry and dread drown out His voice. Here God is saying: “Joseph, don’t be afraid to proceed with this marriage. I know this situation looks impossible, but I am at work, trust Me.” The angel immediately provides the reason Joseph need not fear:

Matthew 1:20 KJV

20b …for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

B. God grounds His communication in the supernatural work of the Holy Ghost and the certainty of His own plan (Matt. 1:20b).

1. God explains that Mary’s conception is of the Holy Ghost, so Joseph’s shame is replaced with wonder and trust.

In other words, “There’s no reason to be ashamed, this pregnancy is a miracle of God!” What a revelation this must have been to Joseph! The very thing that looked like a disaster was in fact the doing of the Holy Spirit. God communicated exactly what Joseph needed to hear: that His presence and power were behind these events.

2. God’s revelation turns confusion into clarity by unveiling what human reasoning could never discover.

This shows us that God is both willing and able to communicate with us when we need His direction. Joseph, being a devout man, probably prayed desperately for guidance, and God answered in a clear way. The text even highlights Joseph’s lineage (“Joseph, thou son of David,” v.20), reminding him of the promises of God to David’s house. God’s message connected to the larger revelation of Scripture: the Messiah would come through David’s line. In essence, God is speaking to Joseph and at the same time pointing him back to God’s previous communications (prophecies) that a son of David would reign forever.

C. God’s communication is consistent with His prior promises and culminates in the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:22–23).

In fact, Matthew pauses the narrative to emphasize that all of this happened in fulfillment of what God had already said centuries before through the prophet Isaiah:

Matthew 1:22–23 KJV

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1. God fulfills His earlier prophetic Word by bringing “Emmanuel—God with us” to pass in Christ’s conception and birth (Isa. 7:14).

God had communicated the promise of “God with us” long ago, and now He was keeping that promise[10]. The prophecy was like an empty vessel that God filled up with meaning in Christ’s coming[11]. This reminds us that from Genesis to Revelation, our God is a communicator. He speaks through promises and fulfills them. He sent angels, He gave dreams, and now, has supremely sent His only begotten Son, the living Word.

2. God speaks most fully by His Son, so “Emmanuel” means God is not silent and God is accessible.

Jesus is called the Word of God (John 1:1) for a reason: He is God’s ultimate communication. In Jesus, God speaks to us in person. Hebrews 1:1-2 declares,

Hebrews 1:1–2 KJV

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Every time we see that baby in the manger, we should realize: God is saying something to humanity, actually, He is saying Someone to humanity! The message is Jesus Himself. God’s presence with us establishes communication in a way never before experienced. The infinite God has forever bridged the gap by coming in the form of a man to make Himself known.

Think of Joseph’s situation again. Before the angel came, he only had confusing circumstances; after God spoke, he had clarity and direction. The Scripture notes that the discovery of Mary’s condition shocked Joseph, as he did not yet know what Mary knew about the Holy Spirit’s involvement[12]. Joseph needed God to reveal what was really going on, and God did. In the middle of the struggle, God sent the answer through His Holy Messenger[13]. Likewise, in our lives, when we face perplexing trials, we have a God who sends answers, maybe not through an angel in a dream (that was a unique situation), but certainly through His Word and His Spirit. The same Holy Spirit who conceived Jesus in Mary now indwells believers to guide and comfort us. The Bible you hold is God’s voice accessible to you every day. Emmanuel means God is not silent. He desires two-way communication: we pray to Him and He speaks to us by Scripture and Spirit.

So the question for us is:

D. God calls us to listen and respond when He speaks, whether we are believers needing guidance or sinners needing salvation.

1. Believers must refuse fear-driven decisions and stay attentive to God’s Word and Spirit.

Are we listening? Joseph could have dismissed the dream or ignored God’s message, but he didn’t. When God graciously speaks, we must be attentive. If you are His child, know that He is with you and will guide you. Don’t let fear drown out His voice.

2. Unbelievers must not ignore God’s invitation, because Christ’s coming is God’s call to reconciliation.

And if you have not yet trusted Christ, realize that God’s very presence in this world is calling out to you. The coming of Jesus is God’s loving call inviting you into a relationship. He has gone to such lengths to communicate, even entering human history, so that you can know Him. Don’t ignore the message of “God with us.”

II. God’s Presence Gives Meaning to Human Existence

Not only does God’s presence mean He speaks to us; it also means our lives have real purpose and meaning. If God came to be with us, then human existence is not a pointless accident, it is part of a divine story. Emmanuel tells us that life matters because God Himself walked this life alongside us.

A. God’s presence places ordinary lives inside an extraordinary redemptive story (Matt. 1:18–19, 24).

1. God gives Mary and Joseph a God-given role that transforms humble service into holy purpose.

Consider how the coming of Jesus transformed the lives of those directly involved. Mary and Joseph suddenly found themselves at the center of God’s great redemptive plan. Talk about meaning and purpose! Mary, an ordinary young woman, was chosen to bear the Son of God. Joseph, a simple carpenter, was entrusted to raise and protect the Messiah. Think of it: One human being would temporarily be permitted to be the God-ordained authority over his own Creator[14]. What an honor, and what a responsibility! Why Joseph? The text gives a hint: he was “just” (righteous) and also merciful (Matt 1:19). God chose a man of faith and compassion. Joseph’s steady character and obedience (as seen when he “did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him,” v.24) show us a life that found its highest meaning in cooperating with God’s plan.

2. God shows that obedience to His plan gives a life its highest meaning, even when reputations and plans are threatened.

When God is with us, even the most humble life gains extraordinary significance. By themselves, this young couple were insignificant in the eyes of the world, poor villagers from Nazareth. But God with them made them vital players in the salvation of humanity. In the conclusion of our passage, Joseph obeys God’s instruction fully: he immediately takes Mary as his wife, and after the baby is born he names Him Jesus as commanded (Matt 1:24-25). Joseph set aside his own plans and embraced God’s plan. Mary, too, as other Scriptures tell us (Luke 1:38), humbly submitted: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Together, they realized that life was no longer about their own comfort or reputation, it was all about God’s purpose unfolding through them. What a shift in perspective!

Now, most of us will not have such dramatic roles as raising the incarnate Son of God! But the principle remains: If God is with us, our lives are caught up in His purpose. Your life has meaning because God’s presence gives it meaning. Apart from God, people flounder, asking, “What’s the point of it all? Why am I here?” But when you know Emmanuel, you know you are here because God made you, loves you, and wants you to know Him. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” An “abundant” life is a meaningful life, rich with relationship to God.

How specifically does God’s presence impart meaning? For one, it assures us of relationship. We were created to know God. Augustine famously wrote that our hearts are restless until they rest in Him. By coming to be with us, God made it possible for us to enter a loving relationship as children with the heavenly Father. That’s meaning on the deepest level, to be loved and known by God.

Also, God’s presence gives us a direction and destiny. If Emmanuel has come, then we have a future with Him. Our everyday tasks take on eternal significance when done in fellowship with Christ.

Think of how Jesus’s presence gave meaning to so many individuals in the Gospels: Fishermen left their nets to follow Him and became fishers of men; a tax collector left his booth and found a new calling as a disciple; even those on the margins of society (lepers, beggars) found dignity and purpose after encountering Jesus. God with us changes everything.

B. God’s presence teaches that human life matters because God Himself entered our humanity (Matt. 1:23).

Matthew 1:23 highlights that this baby is “Emmanuel... God with us.” Matthew even translates it for us (since he wrote to a broad audience): “which being interpreted is, God with us.”

1. God identifies Himself as “God with us,” so human existence cannot be accidental or worthless.

Don’t rush past that. God with us. The infinite, holy Creator joined Himself to humanity in the most intimate way, by actually becoming one of us. He didn’t just send a message or an angel; He came in person. The theological profundity of this is beyond measure, “God with us.” Truly, we will never fully fathom what it meant for the Son of God to lay aside Heaven’s glory and be born in a stable, all for the sake of being with us and ultimately saving us. But we can grasp this much: If God went to such lengths, your life must matter immensely to Him. He would not come to be with something worthless. He came to redeem a creation He loves, to redeem you, because you are valuable to God.

2. God’s personal address and personal calling reveal that His dealings are relational, not merely informational.

We see a hint of this love in the very fact that the angel addressed Joseph personally, by name: “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not…” God’s message was personal.

C. God’s presence gives direction, destiny, and daily significance to believers who walk with Christ (Matt. 1:21, 24-25).

God’s call on Joseph’s life gave him new purpose, to be husband to Mary and legal father to Jesus, protecting and providing for them.

1. God turns ordinary work, family, and suffering into meaningful labor when they are lived in fellowship with Christ (Col. 3:17).

Your calling will be different, but Emmanuel gives every believer a purpose.

2. God involves His people in His mission, so a life gains purpose when it shares the message of “God with us” (Jn. 20:21).

As Jesus later would commission, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you,” He involves us in His mission. We get to share the good news of God with us to others, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world. That brings profound meaning to our existence, day by day.

On the flip side, if someone tries to live their life apart from the presence of God, they ultimately find emptiness. You could gain all the world’s riches or recognition and still ask, “What does it amount to?” But when you know Emmanuel, you can say, “God is with me today [e.g., my work, my family life, my struggles] and that means none of it is in vain.” Even suffering gains meaning, because the God who is with us can work all things together for good.

Perhaps someone here feels insignificant or wonders if their life counts. Let me assure you: at Christmas we are reminded just how much you count to God. He wrote Himself into the human story so that your story could be part of His eternal story. That’s meaning!

Psalm 8:4 KJV

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

God visited us – literally, in Christ. This is precisely the testimony of those that witnessed firsthand the life-giving power of the Lord Jesus Christ, when they reported in Luke 7, “surely God hath visited His people.” Therefore, we can answer the psalmist’s question: What is man? Man is the beloved creation God refused to abandon. Your life is meaningful because God desires to be with you.

Application

D. God calls both believers and unbelievers to respond to the meaning of Emmanuel (Matt. 1:23).

This truth calls for a response.

1. Believers must live with courage and holiness because God’s presence removes hopelessness and fuels obedience (Rom. 8:31).

First, to the believer: Do we live each day in light of God’s presence with us? It should banish thoughts of worthlessness or hopelessness. If God is with us, we should approach life with confidence and purpose. Brother, sister, your labor in the Lord is not in vain, for Emmanuel is in it. Practice the presence of God daily, remember He’s there in the mundane moments as well as the big decisions. Let His presence motivate you to holiness (since He is with you when you face temptation) and to courage (since you never face trials alone).

2. Unbelievers must invite Christ in, because meaning without Jesus collapses into emptiness and vanity (Ecc. 1:2).

To those who are not yet believers: God has already made the first move, He came to earth to reach you. But He will not force meaning into your life; you must invite Him in. Without Jesus, you will ultimately find life “vanity and vexation of spirit” (to quote Solomon’s Ecclesiastes). With Jesus, you become part of God’s family and His grand design. The difference is night and day. So I urge you, let the One called Emmanuel bring meaning to your existence. He stands at the door and knocks; open your heart to Him.

III. God’s Presence Provides Redemption

The third and climactic truth in this passage is that,

God with us is all about salvation.

A. God reveals that the mission of Jesus is salvation from sin, not merely improvement or political deliverance (Matt. 1:21).

1. God commands that the child be named JESUS, because His purpose is to save His people from their sins.

Verse 21 is the first verse in the New Testament that explicitly tells us why Jesus came:

Matthew 1:21 KJV

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

God’s presence among us was necessary to accomplish what we could never do ourselves: to save us from our sin and its consequences. The name Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew, Joshua) literally means “Jehovah is salvation”[16]. Every time Joseph or Mary would call their little boy’s name, they would be reminded: God saves. This child is the embodiment of God’s salvation plan. He is “the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14).

2. God declares that humanity’s greatest need is redemption, so Emmanuel comes to deal with sin at its root.

Notice, the angel didn’t tell Joseph, “Name him Jesus because he will be a great teacher or a wise example” (though He was those things too). The defining mission given is to save people from sin. Humanity’s greatest need has always been redemption: rescue from the guilt and bondage of sin. And only God’s presence and action could achieve that. We couldn’t save ourselves; so God came personally to save us. Hallelujah! The baby born in Bethlehem had to be fully God (to have power to save) and fully man (to represent us and die in our place), as opposed to some demigod (half-god, half-man) like some fairy tale from Olympus. Jesus is 100% God, and at the same time, 100% man, exactly that: God incarnate. No other “deliverer” would suffice. The world had seen judges and heroes like Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David… who saved God’s people from earthly enemies for a time. But sin remained, and death still claimed all. Now comes Jesus, not to tweak our behavior or overthrow a political regime, but to strike at the root of all our woes: sin. Jesus is not a mere Gideon or Samson (who provided temporary relief); He “is able to save to the uttermost all who look to Him for redemption”[17]. His salvation is total and eternal.

The phrase “save his people from their sins” invites an important question: Who are “His people” that He will save? The Jewish people of Jesus’ day might have assumed it meant Israel (indeed Jesus was first sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”). Some theologians with a more restrictive view (for example, certain Calvinist interpreters) have argued it refers only to the “elect” that God has chosen[18]. But let’s consider the full scope of Scripture. In context, “his people” certainly includes Israel, Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. Yet John’s Gospel tells us, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). In other words, those who become Jesus’ people are those who believe on Him. The door was opened for Gentiles too, as the Great Commission and Paul’s ministry show. The apostle Paul explained that through faith, Gentiles are grafted in to the people of God, becoming children of Abraham by faith (Romans 4, 11)[19]. “His people”, ultimately, are all who trust in Him as Savior. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” says Romans 10:13. So make no mistake: Jesus is able and willing to save anyone who comes to Him in faith. The invitation is wide open, “whosoever will” may become one of His people and experience salvation from sin.

B. God provides salvation that includes both forgiveness of sin’s penalty and deliverance from sin’s power.

What exactly does it mean to be saved from our sins? It means at least two things: forgiveness of the penalty of sin, and freedom from the power of sin.

1. God saves by removing guilt through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, so sinners can be forgiven and reconciled (Ps. 103:12).

First, Jesus saves us from the guilt of our sins by taking that guilt on Himself. He would grow up to die on a cross, shedding His blood as the perfect sacrifice to atone for our wrongdoing. On that cross, as the hymn says, “He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own.” Because of Jesus, the sins that separated us from God can be forgiven and removed “as far as the east is from the west.”

God with us became God for us on the cross, so that now God can be in us by the Holy Spirit. This is the heart of the gospel.

2. God saves by breaking sin’s bondage, so believers are freed for sanctified living and future glorification (Rom. 6:6-7).

Second, being saved from our sins means Jesus delivers us from sin’s stranglehold on our lives. He breaks the chains so we no longer have to live as slaves to lust, greed, anger, addiction, and so forth. The angel didn’t say Jesus would save us in our sins (leaving us there); no, from our sins, bringing us out of them. An insightful word study in A.T. Robertson’s commentary notes that the Greek phrase can imply both removal and liberation; Christ takes away our sins and lifts us out of them: “Jesus will save us away from (ἀπό, apo) as well as out of (ἐξ, ex) our sins[20]. They will be cast into oblivion and he will cover them up out of sight.” What a beautiful picture of full redemption! When God saves you, He not only wipes your record clean before Himself (justification), but He also begins to clean you from the inside (sanctification). Ultimately, in eternity, He will remove even the presence of sin (glorification). All of that is wrapped up in “He shall save his people from their sins.” Only Emmanuel – God incarnate – could accomplish such a mighty salvation.

A.T. Robertson’s WP -

Thou shalt call his name Jesus (Καλεσιες το ὀνομα αὐτου Ἰησουν [Kalesies to onoma autou Iēsoun]). The rabbis named six whose names were given before birth: “Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, Solomon, Josiah, and the name of the Messiah, whom may the Holy One, blessed be His name, bring in our day.” The angel puts it up to Joseph as the putative father to name the child. “Jesus is the same as Joshua, a contraction of Jehoshuah (Num. 13:16; 1 Chron. 7:27), signifying in Hebrew, ‘Jehovah is helper,’ or ‘Help of Jehovah’ ” (Broadus). So Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua (Heb. 4:8). He is another Joshua to lead the true people of God into the Promised Land. The name itself was common enough as Josephus shows. Jehovah is Salvation as seen in Joshua for the Hebrews and in Jesus for all believers. “The meaning of the name, therefore, finds expression in the title Saviour applied to our Lord (Luke 1:47; 2:11; John 4:42)” (Vincent). He will save (σωσει [sōsei]) his people from their sins and so be their Saviour (Σωτηρ [Sōtēr]). He will be prophet, priest, and king, but “Saviour” sums it all up in one word. The explanation is carried out in the promise, “for he is the one who (αὐτος [autos]) will save (σωσει [sōsei] with a play on the name Jesus) his people from their sins.” Paul will later explain that by the covenant people, the children of promise, God means the spiritual Israel, all who believe whether Jews or Gentiles. This wonderful word touches the very heart of the mission and message of the Messiah. Jesus himself will show that the kingdom of heaven includes all those and only those who have the reign of God in their hearts and lives. From their sins (ἀπο των ἁμαρτιων αὐτων [apo tōn hamartiōn autōn]). Both sins of omission and of commission. The substantive (ἁμαρτια [hamartia]) is from the verb (ἁμαρτανειν [hamartanein]) and means missing the mark as with an arrow. How often the best of us fall short and fail to score. Jesus will save us away from (ἀπο [apo]) as well as out of (ἐξ [ex]) our sins. They will be cast into oblivion and he will cover them up out of sight.

C. God’s redemptive plan is secured by the virgin conception and the fulfillment of Scripture in Jesus Christ.

Matthew then connects this saving mission to the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (as we noted earlier): a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Emmanuel.

1. God fulfills Isaiah’s promise by bringing the virgin-born Emmanuel, proving that salvation is God’s doing (Jn. 1:12).

The virgin birth is integral to our redemption. It means Jesus did not inherit Adam’s sin nature; He was the spotless Lamb of God. Every context of this prophecy gives the same sense, not even once is the Hebrew word ever translated anything other than ‘virgin’,” which stands as a grave warning that those who try to water down this truth will one day answer directly to the Lord, who shall judge the “quick and the dead”[22]. Indeed, the Virgin Birth is non-negotiable, it was the means by which God’s Son entered humanity without sin. It fulfilled the sign God promised: a truly unique birth as a marker of God’s saving work.

2. God’s miraculous intervention supports the certainty of His supernatural salvation, so faith rests in God’s power (Lk. 2:10-11).

Skeptics may scoff at miracles, but if God is truly with us, miracles are expected! Don’t stumble over the miraculous conception, rejoice in it. It took a supernatural act of God to bring about our supernatural salvation.

Now, let’s step back and think of the big picture:

Why did God choose to save us in this way, by becoming “with us” and then dying for us? The answer is simple: love. Only love would drive the Creator to such lengths. John 3:16, a verse many of us know by heart, ties it together: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God with us was an act of unfathomable love to rescue us from perishing. The baby in the manger had a mission that led to the cross and the empty tomb, all so that we could be saved and have eternal life.

D. God demands a response to redemption, because a provided salvation must be personally received.

This truth demands a response from each of us. If God has provided redemption, then we must receive it. Picture Joseph hearing the angel’s words. He now knows the truth, that this child is the promised Savior. Joseph could have responded with continued doubt or disobedience, but instead he immediately obeyed. He took Mary as his wife, essentially saying “Yes” to God’s redemptive plan. Likewise, Mary had said “Yes” when told she’d bear this child. What about you? God has done everything to provide salvation: “It is finished,” Jesus cried on the cross. Yet He will not force it upon you. You must respond in repentance and faith.

1. Unbelievers must repent and believe, because God will not force salvation but He freely offers it in Christ.

To the unsaved friend here today, I plead with you: consider what more God could do to show you His desire to save you. He came down from Heaven, fulfilled detailed prophecies, lived a sinless life, died in your place, and rose again. He orchestrated all of history to the point that you would hear this good news today. Isn’t it time to trust Him? The greatest Christmas gift ever given was Jesus Christ, “unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). But like any gift, it must be received. Reach out the hands of faith and say, “Yes, Lord, I believe. Save me from my sins. Be ‘God with me,’ I invite You into my life.” He will not turn you away. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” Jesus promised.

2. Believers must rejoice and witness, because those who are redeemed should proclaim the Redeemer.

To the believers here, the redemption Jesus provides is cause for everlasting gratitude and worship. We should never take it for granted that God is with us and that God is for us in Christ. If He has saved you, then Christmas is a time to rejoice afresh in the “good news of great joy.” And it’s a time to share that news. Tell others why Jesus came. The angel said “he shall save his people from their sins,” but how will “his people” hear unless someone proclaims His name? Jesus’ presence on earth was the ultimate sermon of God’s love; now He asks us to be His voice to our neighbors and the nations. Let’s be faithful in both living and speaking this gospel.

Conclusion

“Emmanuel… God with us.” As we have seen, those three words carry the whole story of redemption and the hope of humanity.

I. Joseph and Mary model how God’s presence turns fearful hearts into faithful obedience.

Imagine being in Joseph’s shoes for a moment: a young man tasked with the responsibility of parenting the promised Messiah at a young age[23]. Initially, he was fearful, afraid of the scandal, unsure of the path forward. Mary too was understandably startled by the angel’s announcement to her and likely feared the reproach that would come. But in each case, the key was that they trusted God’s presence and promise.

A. Joseph chooses obedience when he understands God’s message, and Mary chooses faith when she submits to God’s will (Lk. 1:38).

Mary responded in faith, and Joseph, once he understood God’s message, responded in obedience. He “did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him” (v.24), taking Mary as his wife and naming the baby Jesus. He chose faith over fear. Mary and Joseph learned that the only way to follow God was to “trust and obey,” no matter how daunting the road ahead[24].

B. God proves Himself faithful to be with His people at every step, so God’s presence can be trusted today.

And God proved Himself faithful, He indeed was with them every step: providing for them in Bethlehem, warning them to flee Herod’s wrath, guiding them in raising the Christ-child.

II. God calls the church to live and speak as people gripped by Emmanuel.

Their example speaks to us today. We may not have angels appearing or miraculous virgin births in our personal story, but we do have the same God, and He is with us. The question is, will we be with Him?

A. Believers must walk in close fellowship and full surrender because God still accomplishes His purposes through obedient people (1 Sam. 15:22).

Will we walk in close fellowship and full surrender, as Joseph and Mary did? God accomplished His saving purposes by using people of strong character and unquestioning obedience[24]. He is still looking for people today who will say, “Lord, I’m yours. Use my life as part of Your plan.” It could be something as simple as showing Christ’s love to a hurting neighbor, or as life-altering as a call to ministry or missions. Whatever it is, if God is with you, you have nothing to fear in obeying Him.

As we stand two Sundays before Christmas, I want each of us to carry this truth in our hearts: God is with us in Jesus. If you are saved, then “God with us” means He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are never alone. Let that truth banish anxiety and fill you with courage. Like Joseph, you can rise from your sleep and do what God asks, knowing He will take care of the outcome. Like Mary, you can face an uncertain future with a song of praise on your lips (Luke 1:46-55), because God’s presence guarantees joy even in trials.

If you are not saved or not sure, then “God with us” means God has literally come knocking on the door of humanity, and by extension, on the door of your heart. He’s saying, “Here I am, offering you forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life.” Don’t send Him away to the stable, so to speak. Don’t let there be “no room” in your heart’s inn. Instead, welcome Him in. He will forgive your every sin (no matter how stained your past), and He will make you a new creation. Jesus is God with us, but you must decide if you want God with you. Will you bow before the One who was laid in a manger and later hung on a cross? Will you acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior?

B. The church must proclaim “God with us” because a God-forsaken world needs the gospel of Christ’s presence and salvation.

As a church, First Baptist of Westminster, let’s be a people who rejoice in Emmanuel and proclaim Him. In a world that often feels God-forsaken, we carry the most precious message: “God has not forsaken you, He came for you! God is with us!” This is the good news we celebrate at Christmas and indeed all year.

III. God’s promise of Emmanuel is both present comfort and future hope, because Jesus remains with His people forever.

Let’s end with a final thought:

A. Believers must take heart because Jesus will never leave them, and His presence carries them through every season (Heb. 13:5).

The Gospel of Matthew, which begins with “Emmanuel, God with us,” ends with Jesus’ own promise to His followers: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:20). God with us isn’t just for Christmas, it’s forever. Once you have Jesus, you have Him always. He will walk with you into the new year, into every valley and every victory. And one day, we who have trusted Him will be with the Lord forever in Heaven, the ultimate fulfillment of “God with us.” What a glorious hope!

Note: On “Emmanuel,” Logos AI Study Assistant says:

“No, there is no biblical record of Jesus being directly addressed or called “Emmanuel,” “Immanuel,” or “God with us” during his earthly life, ministry, death, resurrection, or ascension. The angel’s announcement to Joseph in Matthew 1:23 remains the only explicit occurrence of this name in the New Testament.

This is significant because the name functions more as a theological title than as a practical name used by others. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is called by various titles—“Rabbi,” “Teacher,” “Lord,” “Son of David,” “Son of Man,” “the Messiah”—but never by the specific designation “Emmanuel.” Even his disciples, who recognized his divine nature, did not employ this particular name.

The absence of its use during Jesus’s lifetime suggests that “Emmanuel” operates as an interpretive framework for understanding who Jesus is rather than as a name people actually used to address him. Matthew’s citation of the Isaiah prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) appears designed to help readers understand the meaning of Jesus’s incarnation—that God’s presence dwells among humanity in his person—rather than to document an actual name by which he was called.

This distinction between a prophetic title and an actual name used in practice is worth noting when interpreting Matthew’s theological emphasis on Jesus fulfilling Old Testament expectations.”

So take heart this morning. Like that frightened young Joseph, let God’s presence move you from fear to faith. Let His fellowship give your life meaning. And let His salvation transform your soul. God is with us – is He with you?

B. Unbelievers must receive Christ now because “God with us” becomes “God with you” only through salvation.

If you have never received the gift of salvation in Christ, I invite you: do so today. Call upon Jesus in prayer, even now in your heart, confess your need and ask Him to save you. He promised, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” For those who know Him, let’s leave this place with renewed joy and confidence, because we carry Emmanuel in our hearts. Let’s shine the light of “God with us” to a world still groping in darkness.

Embrace Him, worship Him, and proclaim Him – Jesus Christ, our Lord, God with us!

[12][21]

HYPERLINK "https://netorgft3038877-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jwalker_fbcwestminster_com/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B44FCD755-41BA-43F9-90BF-EEA09260CA12%7D&file=2025%201214%20%5BMt%201.18-25%5D%20From%20Fear%20to%20Faith_Old%20Sermon%20Outline.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true" \h[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Sharepoint

https://netorgft3038877-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jwalker_fbcwestminster_com/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B44FCD755-41BA-43F9-90BF-EEA09260CA12%7D&file=2025%201214%20[Mt%201.18-25]%20From%20Fear%20to%20Faith_Old%20Sermon%20Outline.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true